Welcome to Our Blog! Our Story Starts Below...

Welcome to our blog! We set this up as an information hub about the progress of our little twin boys who were born on January 5, 2010. We along with our little boys first thank you so much for your love and support, and hope that this blog will give you an opportunity to follow their progress as they grow in the NICU at St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton.

Our little boys had a harrowing journey to get here. They were born at 25 weeks and 6 days, which is needless to say, very early. Jared William, was born at 10:49 a.m. feet first, and on the bathroom floor of the delivery room. Anthony Michael was born at 11:30 via C-section after he decided that he wanted to come out hands first.

Our story started on Monday, January 4 after a doctor's appointment with Dr. Gray. Danielle had been feeling generally, "crappy" the day before and reported what sounded like some contractions. The doctor decided to send us across the street to the hospital just to make sure everything was okay. After a couple of hours in labor and delivery the staff confirmed a few contractions, but very far apart. Her cervix was not dilated and the babies were fine.

The doctor sent us home and told us to keep track of the contractions, and so long as they weren't less than 7 minutes apart there was no need for concern. The next morning Danielle started feeling contractions again, but this time they were about five minutes apart. She called the doctor who said to wait another hour and see if they went away.

I was just getting ready to walk out the door to work when Danielle had a contraction that just about doubled her over. Deciding something wasn't right, I called the doctor and said we were coming to the hospital.

On our way to the hospital Danielle was having severe pains in her lower back every three minutes. When we arrived at the hospital Danielle was hooked up to the machines which registered no contractions at all. The doctors and nurses did not think her pains were contractions but constipation. After several attempts to alleviate that Danielle went into the bathroom still having severe lower back pain.

After a minute, I heard a scream, and Danielle was screaming that her babies were coming out. The nurses came rushing, as did the doctor, but Jared was too impatient to wait. He was born on the bathroom floor. After Danielle was moved to the bed, Anthony wasn't so cooperative and an emergency C-section was performed.

The NICU unit was quick to respond and help the teenie little babies breathe and fight for life. Jared was 2lbs. 1oz. and was 13 and 1/2 inches long. Anthony was 1lb. 15oz. and was 13 inches long.

The whole thing was totally unexpected, and frankly more traumatic than happy. But we are blessed with two gorgeous little miracle babies!

Our boys came home to us on March 26, 2010, after spending 81 days or about 12 weeks in the NICU at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. As you may note from our previous posts below, the journey was not without its bumps in the road.

There were highs, and there were lows. We and the boys braved two laser eye surgeries, and countless other obstacles and scares. But, we never lost confidence in the medical team in the NICU, and always kept our faith that God would lead us through this time.

Our steadfastness paid off, because now the boys are happy and healthy at home! This of course brings with it a totally new set of challenges that we are exicted and eager to experience. The task of caring for twin newborns is a daunting one, but a welcome one.

So, just because the boys are now home, don't think the blogging will stop. It may not be as consistent as before, but we will do our best to keep you all updated on their progress, and give you a window into our lives raising twin boys.

Enjoy!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Boys still growing!

We have updated weights on both of them! As of the beginning of July, Jared weighed 13 lbs. 10 0z. and Anthony weighed 14 lbs even. The pediatrician said that she is very pleased with their growth and that they are even on the growth chart for weight. They both fall into the 3rd percentile for 6 month old infants. Jason and I were very surprised and overjoyed to hear that!

As far as length (24" each) and head circumference, they are not quite on the chart for 6 month olds yet, but the doctor is optimistic that at the rate they are growing, it won't be long. We were also very surprised to find out that Jared has a bigger head circ. than Anthony now. For a long time we jokingly called Anthony "Big Head" because his head seemed so much bigger than Jared's, but not any more.

Both are still enjoying discovering new foods. I have been cook and pureeing most all of their baby food from the beginning, it is so easy and very nutritious for them. I do find myself going to the grocery store more often than usual and of course, most of my cart is fresh organic produce, not a bad thing. They have loved carrots and apples recently. I also introduced a single grain oatmeal in lieu of rice cereal, Jared loves it but I think it gave Anthony an upset tummy. He had a few pretty fussy days and threw up twice, so we will try the oatmeal again later. No big deal for him...Rice cereal has always been his absolute favorite.

The boys are well on their way to sitting up on their own. We have been using their highchairs for feeding for some time now, which has helped them get used to the idea. Jared seems to have slightly better head control than Anthony right now and can actually sit on his own for all of about 2-3 seconds before falling over. Anthony will sit up with support but is not all that interested. He gives it about 10 minutes and then is over it and wants to be held.

We have noticed over the last few weeks that Anthony seems to be the "cuddler" of the two. He has not problem settling in and cuddling up in your arms for a snuggle. He rests his head right in the crook of your neck and just hugs you. It is so cute. Often times when I am sitting on the couch holding him, I find him moving his little fingers back and forth on my tummy almost as if he is trying to tickle me.

They are both still sleeping well and responding very well to their four hour feeding schedule.

They are becoming increasingly vocal and love to sit and talk. As soon as they wake up in the morning, the conversation begins. I love to egg them on with phrases like " I LoooovvveeeYooouuu" and "HhhiiiiMooommmaaa" it really gets them talking up a storm.

Jared has a follow up head ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow morning at St. Jude. The pediatrician wants to follow up to see if the cysts from his brain bleed have completely resolved. She will call with the results in the next few weeks. I think we will have to stop by the NICU to see if any of our nurses are working, I am sure they would love to see the babies.

The boys are doing great when we go out and about. I took them to have their 6 month pictures done last week and they have enjoyed their first trips to the pool (which they both loved). Speaking of swimming, since they went in the pool for the first time, they have been getting me soaking wet with all of their splashing and kicking in the bathtub. Once they can sit up on their own, it might be time for the big bathtub.

4th of July brought their first parade! My aunt's neighborhood has a big block party every year which starts with a parade up and down their street then has backyard games, bounce houses, swimming and a pot luck lunch. We decorated the boys' stroller with American flags and red, white and blue streamers and I pushed their stroller in the parade...while they slept :) But it was fun nonetheless! They even won their first medals, the prize for best stroller, or was it cutest sleeping twins (?) doesn't matter, everyone received a medal for something.

The other day we went shopping and a woman asked me how old the boys were, when I replied "6 months" she said "what big babies!" Can you believe that? I don't particularly think they are big for their age (only 3rd percentile) but can you believe that someone actually thinks they are big?? My heart dropped...I never thought I'd hear that about one of my babies. One of my babies that was born 3 1/2 months early and weighed approx 2 lbs. Holy Moley!! Now everyday I look at them and tell them how big they are :) Thank you to that lady at the mall!!

I sincerely apologize for the delay in the posts, I am definitely going to make an effort to post their progress more frequently. I appreciate everyone who continues to check in on us and is eager to hear about how they are doing. I guess I need to get myself on a schedule and set aside a time to blog.